With those dastardly Europeans cooling their heels, the $304,000 Haymes Paint Jericho Cup over an energy-sapping 4600m at Warrnambool on Sunday was won by our friends across the Tasman with the mare Nassak Diamond.
Ridden by Cam Rawiller for Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray, Nassak Diamond carried the famous white and blue silks of Dick Karreman’s The Oaks Stud to a seven-length victory in the valuable feature.
The 5-year-old daughter of Roc De Cambes (NZ) defeated the 6-year-old Zed gelding Sunday Buzz with the 4-year-old Pierro gelding Mr Fabulous a short-head back in third.
Nassak Diamond had been winless in five starts since a 5-length triumph over two miles on a heavy track at New Plymouth Raceway in September.
Without contesting a stakes race, Nassak Diamond advances her record to four wins, two seconds and four thirds from 22 starts with earnings of $234,367
A half-sister to the prolific Group winner Scapolo (Bachelor Duke), Nassak Diamond is one of six winners for the Zabeel mare Kadesa, whose final foal is a 4-year-old sister to Nassak Diamond named Diamond Discovery, who won a 1400m maiden at Aukland when on debut on November 1 2022 before finishing unplaced in the Group III Wellington Stakes at Otaki.